Coronation Street‘s Lou Michaelis continues to face the consequences of attacking Gary Windass next week – and could be facing a long stretch inside.

Since admitting her assault, and after husband Mick’s daring jail break, Lou has been in custody and is awaiting her fate. If she’s sent down, what will become of her kids with both their parents behind bars?

“Lou’s life is a disaster,” our Corrie source says. “Brody has rejected her and she put Gary in a coma, so the only friends she has are Sally and Tim.

“But when Lou asks them for a big favour, will they help her in her hour of need?”

Sally prepares to take Lou’s children to see their mum in prison, but brooding Brody refuses to go.

When Sal turns up with only Shanice and Joanie in tow, Lou is crushed that her son still hasn’t forgiven her for keeping quiet about Kit Green being his biological father.

Trying her best to swallow her disappointment, and happy to at least be with her girls again, Lou updates Sally on her case.

“Lou plans to plead not guilty to the attack – which means she could be facing a lengthy and potentially pricey court battle,” our insider adds.

“Knowing she’ll need to find the funds to finance her freedom, Lou tentatively asks Sal if she’d consider lending her the money to pay for her legal fees…”

Sally is taken aback, as it means she’d have to take out a bank loan and get herself into debt if she agrees.

As much as the Metcalfes are happy to help out with childcare, getting themselves into debt for Lou’s violent outburst is a whole other matter. Although if upstanding Sally refuses, she knows it will be Shanice and Joanie who’ll suffer the most.

Conflicted over Lou’s desperate plea, Sally later gets word from social services there’s been a development. Lou has had a change of heart, and it’s increasingly likely she won’t be coming home any time soon…

“Tim and Sally tell Brody that Lou has decided to plead guilty,” reveals our mole. “While they understand Brody’s anger, they urge him to visit Lou in prison as it would mean a lot to her – she needs her son, as the family’s future is looking uncertain…”

Can Brody move past his mother’s betrayal and make peace with his mum before her sentencing? And what will Lou’s fate be?